Mechanism for cleaning cotton



(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 1. P. CARROLL.

MBGHANISM PON CLEANING COTTON.

Patented Feb. 11, 1890.

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MBGHANISM Poe CLEANING GoTToN.

No. 421,242. Patented Peb 11,1890

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P. CARROLL. M MEG-NANISM P011 CLEANING COTTON.,

Patented Neb. 11, 1890.

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Patented Feb.11,1890.

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P. CARROLL. MEGHANISM FOR CLEANING COTTON.

No. 421,242. Patented Feb. 11,1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

PATRICK CARROLL, OF COHOES, NEV YORK.

NIECHANISIVI FOR CLEANING COTTON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettersrlatent No. 421,242, dated February 11, 1890.

Application filed September 13, 1888. Serial No. 285,270. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concer/1,.-

Be it known that I, PATRICK CARROLL, of

the city of Cohoes, county of Albany, and

State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mechanism for Cleaning Cotton, of which the following is a speciication.

My invention relates to a mechanism for working' and cleaning cotton to fit the same 1o for batting-machines or for spinning, it being the object and purpose of my invention to clean the cotton rapidly, to remove the seeds,

and to separate the bunches and knots therefrom without the usual and ordinary operation of beating.

Accompanying this speciiiation, to form a part of it, there are six sheets of drawings containing seven gures illustrating my invention, with the same parts designated by 2o the same letters in all of them.

Of these illustrations, Figure 1 shows a partial side elevation of the mechanism containing my invention, andin which three sets of like machineryT are illustrated, to operate on the material being treated connectedly and in sequence. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same mechanism, taken from the side opposite to that shown at Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on the line m of Fig. l

3o through the machine-frame and conveying belt or apron, with the other parts (seen in the direction of the indicating-arrow) illustrated in elevation. Fig. et is another crosssection .taken on the line x2 Q02 of Fig. l

through the machii'ie-frame and the cover of one of the upper cleaning-rollers, with the rest of the parts (seen in the direction of the indicating-arrow) illustrated in elevation. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal central vertical section 4o taken through the mechanism illustrated in Figs. l and 2, and with the addition thereto of a section of that part of the conveying apron and table which is broken off from the main figure. Fig. 6 is an enlarged represen- 41; tation of the gears which operate the entering set of i'lnted conveying-rollers and the conveying belt or apron. Fig. 7 is an enlarged representation of the gears that operate the screen-druin, the fluted pressing-roller 5o thereof, and the two adjacent pairs of flnted conveyi11g-rollers.

The several parts of the mechanism thus illustrated are designated by letter reference, and the function of the parts is described as follows:

The letter B designates an endless belt or apron adapted to run on the roller-pulleys o" and "r2, with its upper stretch moving toward the machine, as shown at Fig. 5 and in part at Figs. l and 2, the roller-pulley r2 having upon one of its ends the actuatinggear g.

The letters c designate a pair of fluted conveying-rollers that are operated to receive the material being' treated as it comes from the apron B, one of these rollers being arranged above i'he other and having thereon a gear which meshes into a gear on the other roller of the pair to operate them together. These gears are designated at m m2, and the arrangement thereof will be perceived by reference to the illustration in Fig. 1, showing the gears belonging to the rollers c c adjacent to the drum D.

The letters c2 designate another pair of conveying-rollers arranged one above the other, and which are placed alongside of the pair of rollers indicated at c. These rollers c2 are connected by gears m3 m4, arranged upon their ends opposite to that at which one of them receives power. The function of these rollers c2 is to receive the material from the rollers c and to bring it under the influence of the cleaning-roller R. These conveying-rollers c and c2 are shown in section at Fig. 5, and the actuating-gears thereof are shown at Figs. l, 6, and 7. Both pairs of rollers cf and e2 at the entering and discharging ends of the apparatus are fluted; but in each of the other instances where used the rollers c are not iiuted.

The letters R and R2 designate the cleaning-rollers of each mechanism of the series. These rollers are arranged one above the other, and are covered with card-clothingmade of blades E, having a pointed outer edge e', one beveled edge e2 and one straight edge et, with the last-mentioned facing in the direction of the rollers rotation, as indicated by the arrows at Fig. 5, so that the angular points on each roller point in the direction of rotation of the roller. These rollers are ar- IOO ranged with the largest roller R iabovethe.,

smaller roller R2 and are geared to turn in the same direction on their axes, so that their adjacent surfaces will travel in -opposite directions. These rollers serve their purpose best when the upper one is run at a speed of from sixteen to eighteen hundred turns per minute and the lower roller at a speed of from twelve to fourteen hundred turns per minute. l The letter C8 designates the cover of the upper roller.

The letter D designates a drum used in each set of mechanism of the series shown, and each of these drums is covered with a wire screen lV, arranged on the cylindrical face thereof. Each of these drums has a shaft S4, provided with bearings in the machine-frame F, said shaft having on one of its ends an operating-gear g. These drums are shown in section at Fig. 5, and are operated as will be hereinafter described.

The letters R4t designate fluted pressingrollers, of which there is one for each drum. Each of these tinted pressing-rollers RA1 is mounted on a shaft s, the latter having upon one of its ends the operating-gear gw. These rollers are shown in section at Fig. 5, and the gears that operate them are illustrated at Figs. l and 7.

The letter A (see Fig. G) designates a presser-arm pivoted at a2 and therefrom extended laterally at a2 to pass through an eye made in the vcrtically-arranged rod at This rod passes down through the ila-nge of the frame F so as to adjust vertically therein. It is threaded on its lower end and thereat provided with a nut a5 and a spring a6, which encircles said rod between the flange of the frame F and the top of the said nut. This arm A back of where pivoted and between the latter point and where it passes through the rod a4 rests upon the bearing-boxes Z6 of the conveying-rollers c and c2, and elastically so, the measure of the pressure upon the bearing-boxes being regulated by the nut a5.

The letter A2 designates another form of presser-arm, the function of which is the same as that of the presser-arm A These presser-arms A2 have a hook-form head 7L', which is projected downwardly to rest on the bearing-boxes of the conveying-rollers c2 of each machine-frame F, so as to adjust vertically therein, the shank h2 of thc arm below the frame having a threaded end and nut h4 and being encircled by a spiral spring h5. As thus made, this presser-arm A2 at its hookform end bears elastically upon the bearingboXes Z2 of such of the conveying-rollers c2 as it is applied to, and the measure of its pressure thereon can be regulated by the nut h4.

The letter B2 designates abit-board, which 'fis used in connection with the cleaning-rollers R and R2 of each mechanism of the series illustrated. Each of these bit-boards is projected upwardly from the floor F2, and is constructed with a foot f, that is laterally projected from its lower end. These bit-boards are each made to be adjusted as to distance from the roller R2 by means of a slot t in the floor F2 and a bolt b2 and nut n2, which bolt is passed up through the slot and foot and secured in position by the nut. The function of this bit-board in each mechanism of the series is to form a divided-off area, into which the knot, bunches, and seeds which are tornout from the passing material by the action of the card-clothing on the roller R2 may be thrown by the roller over the bit-board B2. This bit-board as arranged in each mechanism of the series is shown in section at Fig. 5.

Heretofore open circular gratings have been arranged under the under cleaningroller, through which the separated dbris eventually found its way. I have substituted instead of the grating this vertically-arranged bitboard, having its upper edge ext-ending to a line just below the top of the roller, so that the dbris is thrown clear of the roller over the edge of the bit-board and not carried under, as in the case of a circular grating. The edge of the bit-board acting as a separator and the bit-board being solid, the current created. by the rotation of the roller cannot draw the discharged. stu if back under the roller.

The letter I designates an inclined platform arranged within the interior of each mechanism of the series. This inclined platform rises from the floor F2, from where it eX- tends under the roller R2 to the drum-screen W, and the function of this inclined platform is to guide the material being treated to the screen-drum.

The several parts of the mechanism thus illustrated and described are actuated as follows: There are two driving-shafts proper, which are indicated at S2 and S5, the latter having its bearings in standards that are upwardly proj eeted from the machine-frame F, and the shaft S2 is located upon the side of the machine, as indicated at Figs. 2 and 3. The driving-shaft S5 receives power from a driving-pulley D1 and belt Y, as is shown at Figs. 3 and et. The driving-shaft S2 receives power from a pulley P10, arranged on the shaft S4, having thereon the beveled gear W5 back of the said driving-pulley and a beveled gear lVf on said shaft S2,said gears XV* and W5` being shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. The shaft S2 has thereon a beveled gear 74, that meshes into another beveled gear 75, for each set of mechanism to drive the conveyingroll ers thereof. Each of these beveled gears W5 has one beveled face f2 and one straight face f3, the beveled face thereof meshing into one of the gears XV* to receive power and the straight face f2 thereof meshing into the gear g2, arranged on the shaft of the lower roller of each pair of conveying-rollers c2 (except- IOO ing that pair of these rollers in the last machine of the series) at the end of' the latter opposite to that at which are located the gears m3 m, and by means of which the rollers c2 of cach set, excepting the last, are driven, as illustrated at Figs. l and 2.

The conveying-rollers c2 of the last mcch anism of the series are operated by means of the gear gis on the shaft S5, the latter being operated by the gear-wheel 75, meshing into the gear-wheel XV on the shaft S2, said gearwheel Q12 meshing into the gear-wheel Q15 on the shaft of the lower one of the pair of rollers c2 of the last mechanism of the series.

The conveying-rollers c of each ofthe series of mechanisms connect at the ends of their shafts by gears m an d n2/2, arranged thereon to mesh into each other, and each pair of these rollers c (excepting the pair operating in connection with the first and last series of Y the mechanisms) is actuated by the gear G',

running on the pintle-shaft m5, which gear meshes into the gear m on t-he shaft of the lower roller of the adjacent pair of rollers c2 to receive power from the latter, and also meshes into the gear m2 'on the lower roller of the pair c of said second and third series of mechanisms.

The pair of conveying-rollersc', operating in connection with the first series of mechanisms, is actuated by the gear g5, arranged on the shaft S5, the latter being' actuated by that one of the gear-wheels T5 which receives power from the shaft S2 through the gearwheel XW, located at the entering end of the mechanism. This gear g5 meshes into a gear g4 on the shaft u2 of the lower roller of the pair c of the first mechanism to operate said rolls.

The pair of conveying-rollers c operating in connection with the last set of mechanisms is actuated by the gear-wheel g3, arranged on the shaft of the lower roller of the pair, said gear-wheel gsreccivihg power from the gearavheel V5, the latter meshing into the adjacent gear-wheel NV* on the shaft S2.

The screen-drums of each mechanism of the series (excepting the last one of the latter) are operated by a gear G2, having a pintleshaft, and which gear meshes into a gearI gT on the shaft of the lower one of the conveying-rollers c', this gear g7 heilig arranged on the shaft of said lower roller outside of its gear m2 to receive power from said. connection. This geared connection between the gear G2 and the gear gI transmits powerfrom the latter to the former, and the gear G2 also operates the gear gfon the screen-drum shaft S4 to operate the latter. This gear. g5 meshes into the gear g16 on the shaft of the roller R" to actuate the latter.

The screendrnm of the last machine of the series is operated by the gear g, which meshes into the gear g1g, and the latter into t-hc gear g5 on the screendrum shaft to actuate the latter, and the gear-wheel gw on the roller R4 of the last machine of the series meshes into the said gear g5, adj acently` located, to operate said roller R4.

The belt or apron B is operated as follows:

The letter g5 designates a gear on the shaft S, operated by one of the beveled gears 75, as before described, and this gear g5 meshes into a gear g5 on the shaft 'a2 of the lower one of the iirst pair of rolls c outside of its gear m2, and this gear g5 has upon its inner facea pinion g, (indicated .by a dotted line at Fig. 6,) and which pinion meshes into a gear g2, having a pintle-shaft, and the latter meshes into the gear g on the belt-pulley roller r2, to communicate motion to the belt or apron B.

The upper cleaning-roller Rf of each setof mechanism excepting the one at the series where the material to be treated enters is operated by a belt b5, running on a pulley P on the shaft of said roller, and a pulley7 p5 on the shaft S5, as shown at Figs. l, 3, and 4. The other one of the upper clcaningrollers is operated by the belt b5, running on its pulley P and on one of the pulleys p5 on the upper driving-shaft S5.

The lower cleaningrollers R2 of the sets of mechanism illustrated are operated by pulleys P2 on their shafts, and the belts h5 running on the pulleys p5 of the upper drivingshaft S5, with the exception of that one of the lower cleaning-rollers which is located near the feeding-apron, which is operated by a pulley VP2 on its shaft and a belt b5 running to a pulley. (Not shown.) l

The letter FG designates a revolving fan or fans operated by the belt ZJ on a pulley pu on the fan-shaft, said belt receiving power from a pulley n on the shaft S5. f

The letter d designates a duct, into which the blast of the fan or fans goes to carry away the dust set free by the action of the cleaning-rollers upon the material being treated. This fan or fans take air and dust from 'the frame, forcing it into the inclosure V, which discharges at O; This inclosure V extends along the floor upon which the frame of the machine rests, and also extends across the space inclosed by the sides of the frame F. It receives dust and floating material from the action. of the fan or fans at O6 and discharges the same under the current impulse produced by the fan at O. l am aware that a current of air operated by a fan for the same uses is an old application.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown three sets of cleaning-rollers, each set being arranged to operate in connection with a bit-board and screen-drum, and each set of them to operate conncctedly and in sequence, and this operation is described as follows: The material, being placed upon the apron orbelt B, is moved into the first set of conveying-rollers c', from which it passesto the second set of conveying-rollers c2, to be caught by the cardclothing upon. the cleaningroller R of the first set of mechanism in the series illustrated. This roller R moves rapidly, and as it draws in the material it straightens out its fiber and IOO IIO

combs it, and the material then passes downwardly as moved by the roller R until it comes under the action of the roller R2, moving ina direction opposite. to that of the upper roller at the points adjacent, so that the material is combed by two rollers running` at high speed and in opposite direction of rotation. The effect had upon the material is that as the lower roller tears through it seeds, knots, or bunches are caught and thrown out over the bit-board. Thus combed and cleaned l by the rollers R and R2, the material, with its fiber opened out,is by the incline I guided to the screen WV on the drum D, and is carried around on the latter to be pressed by the fluted roller R4 into la bat, and then taken from the screen by the conveying-rollers c of the second set of mechanism, from which rollers it passes across board t to the pair c2 of the second mechanism, from which it is delivered to the cleaning-rollers of the latter to be treated as before,`and thence to the third mechanism, from which it is delivered from the conveying-rollers c2 of that mechanism. y

The function of the presser-arms A and A2 being to bear elastically upon the bearingboXes of the conveying-rollers, any other wellknown form of arms adapted to perform the same function in substantially the same manner may be used.

While I have shown and described a series composed of three machines operating in the same manner connectedly, if desired, one machine can be used and perform good service, although better results are had by a series of them working connectedly.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. The combination of the cleaning-roller R', provided with card-clothing, the lower cleaning-roller R2, provided with card-clothing, said rollers being' actuated to rotate on their axes in the same direction and With their ad j acent points moving in opposite directions, the rollers c c2, and the vertically-arranged bit-board B2, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of the cleaning-rollers R R2, provided with card-clothing and actuated to turn on their axes in the same direction and with their adjacent surfaces moving in opposite directions, the floor F2, having inclined platform I, the bit-board B2, the screendrum D, and the uted presser-roller R4, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. rlhe combination of the cleaning-rollers R and R2, mounted one above the other, with their adjacentfaces moving in opposite directions, the licor F2, having,` the verticallyarranged bit-board B2 and inclined platform I, and the screen-drum D, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

Signed at Troy, New York, this 1st day of June, 1888, and in the presence of the two witnesses whose names are hereto written.

PATRICK CARROLL.

Witnesses:

W. E. HAGAN, CHARLES S. BRINTNALL. 

